Real Madrid Transfer Rumors: 6 Potential New Galaticos This Summer

Real Madrid Transfer Rumors: 6 Potential New Galaticos This Summer

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Even though Real Madrid are the presumptive champions of La Liga over their hated rivals Barcelona, many Madridistas will still be sorely disappointed.

The real prize for many Madrid supporters is the Champions League trophy, and after Los Blancos' soul-crushing defeat to Bayern Munich, the club will look to reload for another assault on the most prestigious club competition in the world.

In their perpetual war with Barcelona, Madrid will be eager to spend to bring the world's top footballing to the Santiago Bernabeu as part of the annual wave of new arrivals in the Spanish capital.

Here are six men whom Real could bring in to bolster their squad with even more talent to win even more trophies next season.

Robin van Persie

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Unfortunately for Arsenal fans like me, the link between Robin van Persie and Real Madrid has been inextricable this season, and the rumors are likely to continue until the Dutchman's contract situation gets resolved.

Van Persie has not alleviated anxiety around the Emirates Stadium by officially stating that he is putting all discussions of a new contract off until the summer, making Champions League qualification imperative for Arsenal.

If he does not have enough confidence in the ability of the current team to win silverware, he will probably leave anyway.

But it will be very hard to resist joining a talent-rich side like Madrid for the last of his prime years if he cannot play at Europe's top level again next season.

Kyle Walker

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If you are not familiar with Tottenham's right-back, Kyle Walker, you need to freshen up quickly.

Walker has been one of Spurs' best performers this season, and his efforts culminated in a PFA Young Player of the Year Award over the likes of Sergio Aguero and Danny Welbeck.

Now, Real Madrid are apparently interested in securing the Englishman's services to replace Alvaro Arbeloa on the right flank and make Sergio Ramos' move to the center a permanent one.

In the long term, Walker would be better than Glen Johnson, the alternative that Jose Mourinho is reportedly considering, due to the age difference between the two and Walker's significant potential.

Hulk

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Hulking Porto winger Hulk is certainly no stranger to big-club rumors—his agent once stated that he could be had for a mere €100 million.

But now, speculation linking him to Real Madrid specifically has increased significantly, and it appears that Los Blancos will have to compete with Barcelona for the player's signature if they are willing to pay his fee.

Hulk himself stated:

Barcelona or Real Madrid, I think I would say yes to playing for these teams.

And, with his incredible combination of power, pace and technique on the wing, Madrid would say yes to him.

Javi Martinez

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Spain U-21 champion Javi Martinez has seen himself linked with a move to Madrid recently, and he claims that he is not worth his reported €40 million price tag.

The defensive midfielder currently plies his trade for Athletic Bilbao, with whom he has had a stunningly productive season, and would bring stability and grit to the heart of Real's midfield if Los Blancos decided to sign him.

Marek Hamsik

According to El Centro Campista and Caught Offside, Napoli's extremely talented midfielder Marek Hamsik is the subject of considerable interest from Real Madrid.

The Slovakian international is also a reported Liverpool target, but the Spanish capital offers a better chance for success, and most importantly, consistent Champions League football.

Hamsik has been an integral part of a Napoli side that is jam-packed with top-level talent, and his reported £21 million price tag reflects this.

Lord knows Madrid are already overflowing with prodigious midfield talent of all ages, but Los Merengues are certainly not averse to stocking an already-stacked position with the best talent in the world.

Neymar

It is common knowledge by this point that the young Brazilian phenom will be playing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona at some point in the near future, despite the symbolic contract extension with current club Santos that he signed recently.

While Neymar is not as good as some bloviators claim, he is one of the best in the world at his tender young age, and he deserves to be playing for either of arguably the two best clubs in the world.

While the team that signs him will have to shell out an obscene amount of money to obtain his signature, if Neymar lives up to most of his potential, the fee may well be worth it.

He might as well move to the Santiago Bernabeu now—it merely accelerates what will inevitably happen in a year or two.